EFC reserves/youth

[Bruce Forbes]

Is the Reserve game against Brockenhurst on Monday at the Silverlake?

[dave]

That's what full time currently says although I would keep checking in case of changes

[Deleted]

I notice they won again last night.
Also notice that apart from the very first game, no first team players are appearing in these matches now?
Thought the idea was to us the Wyvern side to keep first team players match fit etc?
Did we bin that idea?

[Deleted]

I know this isn't really the thread to go over all this again, but I would suggest the we put our reserves into the Wessex Division One next season, watched a very youthful Totton & Eling side on Tuesday night win fairly comfortably and our team will/would surely be better than that and also be able to play v Wessex League Cup/Hampshire Cup/Russell Cotes as a self contained Eastleigh Reserves side as per Weymouth Reserves this season.

Wyvern League isn't the way to go, the standard is poor and our results show that.

[michaelefc]

but I would suggest the we put our reserves into the Wessex Division One next season.

Totally agree. It's an obvious thought. It does still beg the question of exactly what is the purpose of our reserve, and indeed youth teams. I know we have been over this on a number of occasions, but I have to admit I am still scratching my head.

[Deleted]

What is the ruling on how many leagues below a clubs first team, a reserve team is allowed to operate?
I say that, as although i totally agree with Callum's suggestion, i wonder what would happen if we did that and instantly gained a couple of back2back promotions from that level.
Alternatively, If we were going to play at that level and then just refuse promotion, or be denied promotion because of any such ruling, then that becomes pointless aswell?

[Deleted]

From what I could work out player wise of Totton & eling Tuesday night then most of them were AFC Totton reserves last season, and with a couple of older heads in Jo Tessem and Rich Hayter they looked fairly comfortable.

I might be wildly wrong here but I think any reserve side can only go as high as Step 5 so Wessex Prem.

Apart from the obvious i.e playing against better, stronger opposition then nothing much changes, if players aren't good enough for step up to first team then they'll eventually move on but it's a better basis than a reserve league.

I believe we would win Division 1 within the first two seasons, if you look at who came up from Dorset and Hampshire leagues into Div 1 this season they are all in top 5 with the exception of Weymouth Reserves. Portland won back to back promotions, it's not too much of a step up for any one these days it seems.

[dave]

Sept 8, 2016 17:15:33 GMT sattsy said:

What is the ruling on how many leagues below a clubs first team, a reserve team is allowed to operate?
I say that, as although i totally agree with Callum's suggestion, i wonder what would happen if we did that and instantly gained a couple of back2back promotions from that level.
Alternatively, If we were going to play at that level and then just refuse promotion, or be denied promotion because of any such ruling, then that becomes pointless aswell?

Reserve teams can't be promoted above Step 6

[Deleted]

Not being funny, but if you are between the age of 18-30 and have a decent fitness level you can pretty much play Wessex 1 with your eyes closed. No disrespect to anyone playing at the level, but not one of them will ever make it to Conf level. Ever. So although its a better league than the Wyvern, Wessex 1 wont show us anything in terms of where our young lads could end up in relation to breaking into our first team. At least playing in Wessex Prem, they will come up against men who will kick them a bit and teach them a few tricks they will need if making their way up to Conf standard. If they get through that and prove themselves then they have a very very small chance of going higher, but it is very small.
You only have to look at recent players who have set the Wessex alight, and you can see none of them have really ever gone onto anything much (yet).

Warren Bentley - currently play and doing quite well at Gosport (the exception?)
Lee Wort - Currently at Poole Town, not starting games and hasnt scored a goal yet. Failed at Gosport.
Sam Wilson - Although he has yo-yo'd around the different levels, is currently struggling to get starts at Winchester (although he has been injured some of this season)
Lee Mills - always looks head & shoulders above most in Wessex, but was too soft at Conf South and keeps taking a year out from football.

[tenacres]

Have separated the 2 threads out.

SD spoke quite a lot about this at the fans forum a month ago & I get the impression that we are "treading water" a bit until/if we go up to the football league where there is much bigger funding and a better strategy for youth/academy/reserves.

[tenacres]

I too think the idea of going into the Wessex/football pyramid deserves consideration, though if we are limited to Wessex 1 that is definitely a potential hindrance.

I note Weymouth res are in this season (currently 2-1-4 from 7).